Sheet-forming apparatus



Aug. 2, 1932. H. IA. EMI-:RY 1,869,677

SHEET FORMING APPARATUS Filed Deo. 20'. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTRNE All@ 2 1932 I H. A. EMERY 1,869,677

SHEET FORMING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rQII ll I I INVENTOR f/Qff/f Eme/y Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE HARRY A. EMERY, OF ROSELLE PARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE BARRETT COM- PANY, F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION NEW J'lilIEtSIEIYV SHEET-FORMING APPARATUS Application led December 20, 1929. Serial No. 415,507.

This invention relates to apparatus for making, saturating or impregnatlng paper, felt or other analogous sheet materlal. More particularly, the invention is directed to a cylindrical or other member adaptable for use in paper-making machines as a forming member on which the mat or sheet 1s produced and which is also adaptable, with little or no modification, to'other uses, such, for

j@ example, as filtration and the saturation of various materials, particularly felt and the like with bituminous material* in the manufacture of roofing.

One object ofthis invention is to provide a filtering or forming cylinder of simple and rugged construction and which is efficient in operation. Another object is to provide a forming cylinder which can readily be adjusted in accordance with changes in operating conditions or to form sheets of varying Width. Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description.

Complex filtering machines involving a continuously rotating cylinder having its periphery divided into an annular series of filter sections, a hollow axle upon which the cylinder is carried, pipes communicating withl a source of air pressure and extendlng from the filler sections through the hollow axle and complex disc valves for controlling thev flow through the ports of these pipes are well known and have been found objectionable because of their comploex and intricate character. This invention, from one aspect, may be considered as an improvement on such devices as it eliminates the complex while retaining the beneficial features thereof. The invention also involves the adaptation of such continuous rotating cylinders to paper-making, saturating and other uses.

ln accordance With this invention a continuously rotating cylinder or other forming member having a perforated peripheral surand arranged to maintain a zone of reduced pressure, that is. a partial vacuum on the interior surface of the cylinder. Suitable seals are disposed at spaced points between the inface has positioned therein co-axially there-f With a stationary drum which is constructedI terior periphery of the cylinder and exterior of the drum, both circumferentially near the ends of the cylinder and drum and lengthwise thereof. These seals determine the extent of the zone on the interior surface of the cylinder maintained under reduced pressure. The paper pulp may be fed to that portion of the exterior of the cylinder corresponding to the interior zone of reduced pressure, or the cylinder may be mounted in a tank containing the pulp so that the zone of reduced pressure occurs below the level of the pulp. The reduced pressure in the interior of the cylinder causes the liquid material to be sucked into the cylinder, the solid pulp-like matter being deposited on the cylinder. Due to continuous rotation of the cylinder a sheet of solid matter, paper, or felt, as the case `may be, is formed on the cylinder and during the rotation of the cylinder is removed therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings forming a rpart of this specification and showing for purposes of exemplification a preferred form and manner in which the invention may be embodied and practiced without limiting the claimed invention to such illustrative instance- I Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a tank andcylinder of a paper-making machine and illustrates a preferred embodiment of this invention;l

Fig. 2 isl a fragmentary sectional view partly in elevation taken in a plane indicated by the line 2-'2 of Fig. 1, the forming cylinder and drum being broken away to show the interior-structure of the drum; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale longitudinally'of the drum and' forming cylinder showing the seals between the drum and cylinder.

ln its present embodiment the invention is incorporated in a forming cylinder for a paper-making machine and for convenience the present description will be confined to this embodiment of the invention. Features of construction and operation are, however, capable of other available applications, for example, to filtering or to the saturating of porousfabrics or paper and, conseqpiently,y

' at these points. As indicated in Fig. 1, the tank 1 has a valve controlled drain pipe 6 connected thereto at its base.

The peripheral surface of the cylinder 4 substantially from end to end thereof is perforated as indicated at 8. A gear 9 is positioned on or formed integral with one end of the cylinder. Drive chain 11 passes over gear 9 and a gear or pinion (not shown) driven from a suitable source of power drives chain 11 and thus through gear 9 rotates the cylinder 4 in the bearings 3 on the sides 2 of the tank 1'. The cylinder 4 may, of course, be rotated by other means than that described herein.

Stationarily ixed within cylinder 4 is a cylindrical drum 12 having a hollow shaft or axle 13 from which at spaced intervals longitudinally of the shaft hollow spokes or conduits 14 lead to the exterior periphery of the drum. In the construction shown on the drawings three series of such hollow spokes equi-spaced apart, lengthwise of the axis of the drum, each of such series involving six hollow spokes spaced approximately 60 apart, are provided. The portion of the drum between the ends thereof and the hollow spokes and between adjacent series of spokes is preferably made hollow, as indicated by the reference numeral 15, so as to reduce the weight of the drum to a minimum. The drum 12 may be formed of sheet metal or cast in finished form.

The ends ofthe hollow shaft 13 are preferably journaled in demountable bearings 16 suitably bolted or otherwise secured to standards 17 positioned exteriorly of the tank 1. `Thus the weight of the drum 12 is borne by the bearings 16 and standards 17. The axes of shaft 13, drum 12 and of cylinder 4 are preferably co-axial. One end of shaft 13, as indicated at 22, is closed while the other end 23 is open and connected to a vacuum pump (not shown).

The interior peripheral surface of the cylinder 4 is spaced away from the outer peripheral surface of the drum 12, forming an annular cylindrical space between the drum and cylinder. In this space between the ends of the drum and cylinder and the end series of hollow spokes 14, seals 25, 26' areladjustably secured to the outer surface of drum 12. The'se seals may be made of thick rubber, leather or other flexible material and, as

shown in Fi 1, extend annularly between the outer sur ace of the drum 12 and the inner surface of the cylinder 4 over approximately 300 of the surface of the drum. The seals may be held in place by a pair-of flanged rings 27 snugly engaging the sides of the seals'and secured to the drum 12 by bolts 28 passing through openings 29 in the drum 12 and clamping the rings to the drum 12. A series of openings 29 (Fig. 3) lengthwise of the drum are provided so that the position of the sealsl and rings may be altered and thus seals 25, 26 may be adjusted towards or away from each other. Seals31, 32 disposed lengthwise of the drum 12 and cylinder 4 are positioned adjoining the ends of the seals 25, 26. It will be understood that openings 29 if any which occur between seals 25 and 26 may be packed or otherwise sealed. Seals 31, 32 extend between the inner peripheral surfaceof the cylinder and the outer surface of the drum and together with the annular seals 25, 26 define the rectangular area of the interior peripheral surface of the cylinder subjected to the pressure exerted by the vacuum pump through hollow axle 13 and connected spokes 14. Seals 31, 32 may be connected to the drum 12 bv clamp plates 33 engaging the sides of the seals and bolted as at 34 to the outer periphery of drum 12. The clamp plates securino' the lengthwise seals 31, 32 which are of su cient length to extend lengthwise of the -cylinder between seals 25, 26 are preferably designed to move towardsor away from each other as in the case of seals 25, 26 to vary the circumferential extent of the vacuum zone. Also seals 31, 32 of Varying length may be provided to accommodate changes in the spacing of seals 25, 26.

In the embodiment of the invention shownin the drawings, a wet felt or foraminous belt 36 is shown passing around rolls 37, 38, 39 into contact with the forming cylinder 4. Rolls 37, 38' preferably are idler rolls and roll 39 may be driven from a suitable source of power so that the belt 36 is moved at the same speed as the forming cylinder 4. A press roll 40 is shown cooperating with belt 36 to press and feed the sheet 41 formed on the foraminous belt 36 to a second set of press rolls or dryers (not shown).

In making paper or felt, the tank or container 1 is first filled with pulp or stock to a level indicated by the dotted line 42 so that approximately 270 of the peripher of the forming cylinder is immersed in t e pulp. The pump connected tothe hollow shaft 13 is then turned on so as to exhaust the space between the interior peripheral surface of the cylinder and exterior surface of the drum dened by seals 25, 26, 31 and 32 and thus create .a reduced pressure in this space, relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior circumferential surface of the cylinder immersed in the pulp. Thus an unbroken arc of vacuum of approximately 300 is exerted on the interior peripheral surface of the forming cylinder, of which approximately 270 is exerted through the forming cylinder on the ulp and the remaining 30 on the paper or elt on the cylinder in zone a (Fig. 1). The forming cylinder is rotated in bearings 3, through drive chain 11 and gear 9 and the foraminous belt 36 is moved by driven roll 39 at the same speed as cylinder 4 through the pulp in container 1. As the belt and cylinder y move through the pulp the arc of vacuum between seals 25, 26, 31 and 32 causes the deposition of a uniform layer or mat on the foraminous belt 36, the liquid contents of the tank passing through the forming c linder and hollow spokes 14 into the hollow s aft 13 of drum 12, from whence the waste liquor is suitably disposed. Further movement of the belt brings this mat or sheet of fiber 41 into the zone indicated by the reference numeral a, Fig. 1, above the level of the pulp in the tank l. In this zone the sheet 41 is subjected to reduced pressure to remove the excess moisture therefrom. The belt 36 carries the partially dried sheet 41 between the press rolls 39, 40 and from these rolls the sheet may be fed to secondary press rolls or dryers (not shown).

If it is desired to "change the width of the sheet being manufactured, seals 25, 26 are moved further apart or towards eachother, axiall of the cylinder, thus increasing or diminis ing respectively the lengthwise lextent of vacuum exerted "through the interior periphery of the"fo1;ming cylinder. This adjustment of tlje seals can readil be accomplished as the .ends of the cylin er are open and the endsfof the drum are cut away or formed in the shape of a spider 18, permitting access tthe seals and clamping rings. To make a thicker or thinner sheet or to subject the sheet after it is made to a longer or shorter interval of passage through zone a, seals 31, 32 may be moved towards or away from each other, thus altering the arc of vacuum exerted through the interior peripheral surface of the forming cylinder on the pulp in the tank 1.

It will be understood that the foraminous belt 36 may be dispensed with and the sheet formed on the cylinder 4 may be removed directly therefrom. Further, .while a forming cylinder is shown the forming member may be in the shape of an endless belt or of elliptical or 'other shape and the invention herein is not confined to a forming member in the shape of a cylinder. Instead of operating with a pressure under atmospheric in the interior of the forming cylinder, atmosphericor pressures above atmospheric may be maintained therein and the contents of the tank subjected to increased pressureto provide the necessaryvpressure diderential between the pressure existing in the interior of be used for filtration purposes simply by substituting an endless filter cloth medium such as flannel cloth or the like for the foraminous belt 36. The material to be filtered ma be placed in tank 1, the iiltrate withdrawn rom the hollow shaft 13 and theiilter cake removed from the filter belt. Also suitable filter cloth or other medium may be placed over the forming cylinder 4 and the apparatus used for filtration as will'be readily under-v stood by those skilled in the art.

In saturating felt or other porous material the belt 36 may be dispensed with and the felt fed underroll 39 overroll 37 into the bath of saturant in tank 1, the excess saturant being removed from the saturated fabric while it passes through zone a. and the resultant saturated sheet passed over roll 38 between the press rolls 40, 39. l To dismantle the structure for repair or other purposes it is only necessary to remove the shaft 13 from the demountable bearings and then slide the drum out of the forming cylinder 4.

It will be noted that the apparatus herein is simple in constructionand eicient in operation -and can readily be adjusted in accordance with changes in operating conditions or to form sheets 4of felt or paper of varying width.

` The invention as hereinabove set forth is embodied in a particular form of construction but may be variously embodied within` the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a paper-making machine, in combination, a container for paper pulp, a forming member having a perforated peripheralV surface said forming member being mounted within said container and having a portion of its peripheral surface submerged in said pulp, means stationarily fixed withinv said member constructed and arranged to provide a zone of reduced pressure in said member relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior thereof and means for rotating said forming member.

2. In a paper-making machine, in combination, a forming member having a .perforated peripheral surface, stationary means'xed within said member and constructed and arranged to provide a zone of reduced pressure on the interior peripheral surface of said forming member relative to the pressure exerted on the corresponding exterior portion of'said member, sealing means between said stationary means and said forming member said sealing means being circumferentially y l:are

forming member, as it rotates, with the pulp whereby the reduced pressure on the interior portion causes the formation of a sheet thereon and causes the removal of excess moisture from the sheet thus formed.

3. In combination, a forming member having a perforated peripheral surface, means for rotatin said member, stationary means within sai member constructed and arranged to provide a zone vof reduced pressure in said forming member relative to the ressure exerted on the exterior of said memr, and sealing means between said stationary means and said forming member, said sealing means being circumferentially movable for altering the extent of said zone of reduced pressur 4. In a paper-making machine, in combination, a containerfor paper pulp, a forming member having a perforated peripheral surface within said container, a porti-on of said member extending above the level of the j paper pul means stationarily fixed within said mem er constructed and arranged to provide a zone of reduced pressure, relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior surface of the member within the pulp, on the interior peripheral surface 0f said member extending below the level of the pulp, means for varying the circumferential extent of said zone, means for rotating said forming member to continuously change the surface thereof subjected to the pulp and the interior surface thereof subjected to reduced pressure and to form a sheet on the surface thereof above the level of the pulp, and means for removing said sheet from said forming member.

5. In a paper-making machine, in combination, a container for pulp, a forming cylinderhaving a perforated peripheral surface arranged withln said container, a stationary drum within said cylinder in communication with the interior peripheral surfaceof said cylinder and constructed and arranged to 1 provide a zone of reduced pressure, relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior surface of the `cylinder within the pulp, on the interior surface of said cylinder extending within the pulp, means for varying the cir-- cumferential and axial extent of said zone, and means for rotating said c linder.

6. In a paper-making mac ine, in combination, a container for pulp, a forming cylinder therein having a perforated peripheral surface arranged within said container so that at least 90 of the eripheral surface is above the level of the pu p, a stationary drum within said cylinder the circumferential surface of which is spaced from the interior peripheral surface of said cylinder, said drum bein in communication with the interior perip eral surface of said cylinder and constructed and arranged to provide a zone of reduced pressure extending over approximately 300 of the interior surface of the drum, the entire portion of the c linder below the level of the pulp being un er reduced pressure relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior portion of the cylinder within the pulp, and means for rotating said drum.

'1. In a paper-making machine, in combination, a container vfor pulp, a forming cylinder having a perforated peripheral surface arranged within said container so that at least 90 of the-.peripheral surface is above the level of the pulp, a stationary drum within said'cylinder, saiddrum being in communication with-the interior peripheral surface of said cylinder and constructed and arranged to provide a zone of reduced pressure extending over approximately 300 ofthe interior. surface of the drum, the entire portion of the cylinder below the level of the pulp being under reduced pressure relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior portion of the cylinder within the pulp, seals extending between the interior surface of the cylin-I der and exterior surfacevof the drum circumferentially of the drum and cylinder and spaced to define the extent of reduced pressure longitudinally of the cylinder and drum.

seals extending longitudinally of the cylinder and drum adjoining theends of said first mentioned seals, and means for rotating said drum.

8. In a paper-making machine, in combination, a container for pul a forming cylinder therein having a per orated per1pheral surface arranged within said container so that at least of the peripheral surface is above the level of the pulp, a stationary drum within said cylinder the circumferential surface of which is spaced from the interior peripheral surface of said cylinder, said drum being in communication with the interior peripheral surface of said cylinder and constructed and arranged to provide a zone of reduced pressure extending over approximately 300 of the interior surface of the drum, the entire portion of the cylinder below the level of the pulp being under reduced pressure relative to the pressure exerted on the exterior portion of the cylinder within the pulp, seals extending between the interior surface of the cylinder and exterior surface of the drum circumferentially of the drum and cylinder and spaced to define the extent of reduced pressure longitudinally of the cylinder and drum, seals extending longitudinally of the cylinder and drum adjoining the ends of said first mentioned seals, means for adjusting the position of the seals to alter the extent of reduced pressureon the interior peripheral surface of the cylinder and means for rotating said drum.

9. Ina machine of the character described a forming member having a perforated peripheral surface, a drum stationaril fixed within said formmgmember, the exterior sur- Leader:

face of said member, means for creating a vacuum in the space between said drum and forming member, a pair of` seals mounted in spaced relation on the exterior surface of said i 6 drum and extending annularly between said drum and member and means for rotating said forming member.

10. In a machine of the character described, a formingmember having a perforated pelo ripheral surface, a drum stationarily xed within said forming member, the exterior surface of which is spaced from the interior surface of said member, means for creating a vacuum in the space between said drum and forming member, a pair of seals mounted in spaced relation on the exterior surface of said drum and extending annularly between said drum and member, a pair of seals adjoining the ends of the first mentioned air of seals and extending longitudinally of t e drum and cylinder, and means for rotating said forming member.

11. In a machine of the character described, a cylinder having a perforated peripheral surface, a drum stationarly fixed within said cylinder the exterior surface of which is spaced from the interior surface of said cylinder, said drum having a hollow shaft one end of which is connected to a ump, hollow so spokes connecting the hollow s aft with the exterior of said drum, a pair of seals mounted in spaced relation on the. exterior surface of said drum and extending annularly between said drum and cylinder, and means for rotat- 85 ing said cylinder.

12. In a machine of the character described, a container the sides of which are formed with bearings, a c linder having a perforated peripheral sur ace rotatably mounted in said bearings, demountable bearings exteriorly of said container, a hollow shaft mounted in said bearings having one end thereof connected to a vacuum pump, a drum on said shaft stationarily ixed within said cylinder, the exterior surface of which is spaced from the interior surface of said cylinder hollow spokes connecting the hollow shaft with the exterior of said drum, the axis of said hollow shaft and drum being co-axially with the axis of 5o said cylinder, a pair of seals mounted in spaced relation on the exterior surface of said drum and extending annularl; between said drum and cylinder, said seals eing mounted so that they may be moved towards or away liti from each other and a pair of seals disposed between the exterior surface of the drum and the interior surface of the cylinder longitudinally of the drum and cylinder and adjoining the ends of said first mentioned seals, said second mentioned seals being arranged to move towards or away from each other circumferentially of the cylinder and drum.

In witness whereof, I hereunto aiiix my signature. e5 HARRY A.` EMERY. 

